Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-23
A NOTORIOUS TAYLOR.
An old renegade of Grand Rapids and
Merrill on the War Path

On Sunday morning last about 3
o'clock there arrived in Merrill man
in deplorable condition, body almost
nude and part of a hand-cuff on his
wrist. His name was George Taylor,
had escaped from sheriff of Forest
county and walked all the way from
Pelican Lake to Merrill in a naked
condition. George Taylor is one of the
lowest, meanest sneak-thieves in exist
tence and would not scruple to cut a
mans throat for five dollar note. He
made his first appearance at John Peter
sons saloon John used him some
thing like a white man but Taylor, ever
on his guard ''lit out" By this time
the police had got onto his shape and
and knew that he was wanted and pro-
ceeded to search for the cul prit.
Sunday, about noon, policeman DOwney
watched him 90 down through Wright's
Lumber yard, and 90 into Gas DOWney
supposed the blacksmith shop. Mr..
Downey satisfied himself that Taylor
would stay there a while, while he
found some one to assist him arrest the
man. Search was made through the
mill and yard, but neither hide, hair or
track Of the fiend could be found Mr.
Wright saw the man, but did not take
any notice of him, thinking he was pro-
IT,
From the mill yard he must have went
up to his brothers. house, Felix TAYLOR,
who lives up in the brush at the north
end Of the fourth ward. as about one
o'clock man answering the description
of Geo. Taylor, called at the house of
the writer and enQuired where Felix
Taylor lived. 1t was noticed, also, that
he kept one hand deep in his pocket
while making inquiries. In the after
noon Of the same day the three officers
made a raid on the home of Felix,
expecting to find their man, but in this
they were thoroughly disappointed; the
bird had flown. 1t is said that he
inhabited the woods near Prairie river
and that a certain young samaritan car
ried his meals to him and kept him
posted as to the ways and WherefOres.
1t is Guaranty reported that Taylor
made the city visit on Tuesday night
and was discovered by the lady OF a
certain boarding house hiding in or
near a hen coop. The officers were
notified and repaired to capture the
thief It is said he was there, but
armed with two revolvers and the
officers could not get near him They
waited for chief of police Gibson, who
shortly appeared on the scene. George,
with lantern and revolver in hand
went in after the bird, but he was sup
prised to find that Taylor had again out
witted the two officers. How true this
is we do not know.
Taylor is a dangerous outlaw, and
comes in the first place, from bad
stock. Some years ago he was arrested
in Merrill for crime, and while Robert
Truax, then city'marshal, escorting him
down on the train. he jumped off while
the cars were in full motion. Bob is
one of those kind of fellows who never
loses his game, and at once jumped
after his man and gathered him in.
He would have been an easy victim
for the policemen on Sunday morning
had they been around to corrall him.
The fact that George has SO far outwit-
ted the officers makes the manly breast
Of the brave Felix swell with pride for
his brother, and it was with a smile of
admiration for his brother and satisfac-
ton of his own plans that he watched
the officers search his house in vain on
Sunday. If George is caught again he
will be guarded with Winchester re-
peater.- Merrill Times.